WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Farmers can learn more about adding irrigation to their operations at a free educational session later this month.

(Media-Newswire.com) - WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Farmers can learn more about adding irrigation to their operations at a free educational session later this month.

Overhead Irrigation Basics will be Jan. 22 in the Home Economics Building at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1010 Teal Road, Lafayette.

The all-day session will feature Lyndon Kelley, an Extension irrigation specialist for both Purdue and Michigan State universities, as well as industry experts and farmers who have successfully incorporated irrigation into their businesses.

"Irrigation reduces risk for farmers by supplying water - often the limiting factor to yield," Kelley said. "With irrigation, producers are managing the greatest variability in yield."

Kelley said irrigation is becoming increasingly important to farmers as input costs continue to rise and because of recent droughts.

"There has been a huge expansion in Indiana - more than 5 percent per year, 1997 through 2007 - and still accelerating, according to irrigation equipment suppliers," Kelley said.

In many areas, the increase in seed and specialty crop production drives expansion of irrigated acres.

"Sandy or light ground with irrigation is a specialty crop mecca by reducing risks associated with drought and delayed planting or fieldwork delay," Kelley said.

But irrigation in standard corn or soybean rotations has begun to look favorable and economical in water-limited soils.

"Commodity prices over the past four years have made irrigation very economical in areas where soil moisture limits crop yield," Kelley said.

Topics at the session include irrigation economics, design, equipment, energy options, water requirements and water source options.

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